Universal automatic self-leveling mechanism for motorized chair seats

Abstract

An electro-mechanical automatic self-leveling device is provided for use on motorized chair seats. The device may include a pendulum assembly consisting of neodymium magnets attached to an inertia-dampened pendulum and a printed circuit board (PCB) with a hall effect sensor and processing circuitry that will develop proportional correction signals to be amplified by a high-current bi-directional motor driver. This configuration is assembled in a case attached to the motorized chair seat via a mounting bracket and clamping knob, and a cable from the device connects to the chair's seat tilt motor and power supply. Various switches may be included to reset the device in case of overheating and to switch between automatic and manual leveling. In alternative embodiments, the auto-leveling mechanism may be integrated into the motorized chair seat design rather than a separate device that can be attached to the chair seat after-market and independent of the chair's controller.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[S][0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled “UNIVERSAL AUTOMATIC SELF-LEVELING MECHANISM FOR MOTORIZED CHAIR SEATS,” Ser. No. 62 / 878,619, filed on Jul. 25, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated entirely herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTechnical Field[0002]This invention relates to an automatic seat-leveling device, and more particularly to a self-leveling mechanism that mounts onto basic (i.e., non-self-leveling) chairs with motorized tilting seats to replicate the functionality of integrated (i.e., self-leveling) power tilting chairs.State of the Art[0003]Motorized vehicles such as cars, boats, backhoes, power wheelchairs, and lawnmowers can be equipped with motors to level the seat, making it more comfortable for the seat occupant as the angle of the vehicle changes. Typically, the occupant uses an input device (e.g., a rocker switch) to operate the motor to change the angle ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention has several technical advantages, including an improved auto-leveling mechanism, resistance to physical shocks and temperature fluctuations, and the ability to mount the device to power tilting chairs that lack automatic self-leveling. The invention also provides a better sense of balance through inertial compensation, which gently presses the chair occupant forward into acceleration and backward during deceleration.

Problems solved by technology

Existing mechanical design problems include non-proportional correction and drag on the pendulum.

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